My First Holidays in NYC

I would consider myself very fortunate. I have an awesome family and the greatest friends around. I try and appreciate their generosity, humor, positive attitudes, and sensitivity all year round, but I do find that during the holidays it is especially wonderful to share this time of year with them. This year as a result of my move across country, I will not be spending my holidays with them. I have my adopted NY family (James, Rhonda, Cyn, Aaron, Grace, etc etc) here and that helps more than I can say, but it is still very difficult not to be with mom and Trish. Something about laying around at mom's house eating grandma's pumpkin pie, drinking too much wine, and falling asleep on the sofa after the consumption of WAY too much food that can't be replaced.

This year I found myself orphaned in NYC for Thanksgiving, the official start to the holiday season. I was not alone and very blessed to have friends around me. Chrissy, Grace, Aaron and a ton of his friends all went out to dinner in the city. It was quite the NY style holiday. We dined at a very nice restaurant, laughed, and enjoyed great company. It wasn't family, but it was great none-the-less. I felt loved and thankful. What else really matters right?

Now comes a month of craziness. First there is my trip home mid month. I am very excited. It is always hard to go back and then leave again. I look forward to this trip more than I have in the past...its been 5 months since I have been home and it seems like eternity. Beware...I will be coming back a little different....hehe. Then following my trip is the countdown to Christmas. I will, of course, be alone in NY for Christmas and that will be strange. James is my only friend here and I am sure I will spend it with him...maybe have a nice dinner in the city and freeze my ass off. OH JOY! lol Of course the following week will be Chrissy and Tbone's arrival for the New Years Eve celebrations. I am pretty sure I will have to be sober TILL then just to make sure I survive the ordeal. Between C and T I don't think NYC can handle it. The bars in NY should start stocking up on Vodka, Jack, Jaegar, and GOOD beer now!

Regardless, I am looking forward to a chilly fun month though. Stay tuned for pics and hopefully happy faces....